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    <title>Sentient Creative</title>
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    <description><![CDATA[What if we dig a little deeper? What if we abstain from hype and swear off the over-blown corporate propaganda that permeates our every consciousness? What if we re-think the entire premise of advertising and design from the perspective of the individual and not the medium? Where does this leave us? 

Hi, I'm Ben, the driving force behind Sentient Creative Group. I'm a graphic and web designer, and general art and music geek. I have an affinity for snooty beers, shredding fresh powder, and loud punk rock. I believe that, as an industry, we often lead our clients astray and often lose ourselves. I'd like to see more integrity in design, and greater focus on what the small firms can bring to the table. 

I like trees where they stand, and personally prefer my air and water free of toxins, so I perhaps too often expound on the benefits of forward thinking and ethical print processes. I reside with my wife in one of the most beautiful regions of Ontario, and am thankful every day to be here. I live to create, whether in visual or auditory format, and would like nothing better than to help bring your ideas to life.

Please visit: <a href="http://www.sentientcreative.net"> www.sentientcreative.net</a> for further information.]]></description>
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      <title>Indigestion? Hardcore?</title>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:00:02 -0800</pubDate>
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      <title>Music and Design Symbiosis</title>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:59:59 -0800</pubDate>
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      <title>I'll Eat Your Brains... And Deliver That New Brand!</title>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:50:29 -0800</pubDate>
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      <title>Welcome. Do Come In.</title>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:50:22 -0800</pubDate>
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      <title>Vagrant-Chic</title>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:50:16 -0800</pubDate>
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      <title>The Ongoing Battle Between Work &amp; Play</title>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:50:12 -0800</pubDate>
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      <title>DIY</title>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:49:54 -0800</pubDate>
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      <title>for the common good.</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/sentient_creative/posts/text/1002609</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Most designers and developers like to think of themselves as professionals. Most business people or career-minded individuals seem to hold that theme near and dear as well. One could then safely surmise, I think, that most car salesmen, accountants, lawyers, plumbers and all others employed in "professional" work sectors would decline to work for free.

I notice, with great disappointment, an alarming number of available  "opportunities" for graphic designers to work for free. To further clarify, these employment postings often display the remuneration for works completed as "the chance to add to your portfolio" or "a chance to grow your skills". Interestingly, I've yet to encounter an interior designer, contractor, lawyer, or electrician that would happily elect to a similar offer. 

The RGD of Ontario obviously holds high eminence over those in the industry who have garnered membership, and they have strict guidelines regarding "spec" work and submission/selection projects. What of the rest of us? Who governs our standards and ethics as a collective, and drives to retain the integrity so many of us hold dear?

I believe that we have a responsibility to ourselves, to our fellow designers, to our clients, and to the industry in general to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding our rather misty designation. Every time a graphic designer signs on for spec work, or to complete a speculative project with no tangible remuneration, we degrade ourselves and the image of our worth. We owe it to ourselves to rise above this, and educate present and future clients, existing and potential, about the design process and the efforts that actually go on behind the scenes. 

As a collective whole, I believe that we can not only better validate our worth as designers, but possibly even streamline and refine the 
impression of our industry, and ourselves as professional commercial artists.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:07:44 -0800</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/sentient_creative/posts/text/1002609</guid>
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      <title>new Sentient Creative website launched!</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/sentient_creative/posts/text/975405</link>
      <description><![CDATA[After too many late nights and not nearly enough coffee, I've ironed out most of the wrinkles in the new Sentient Creative website.
Some things are born of necessity, and this was unfortunately just that. After a fantastic tenure working on-staff at Integra Graphic Design Studios, I'm back working independently. Thanks to Kim for the opportunity, and I'm sure we'll continue to work together into the future.

The current economic state has everyone holding tightly to their wallets and perhaps putting the brakes on that new design or advertising initiative. We believe that more than ever, the timing is right to have your message heard. With a great number of businesses cutting graphic and web design budgets, it could provide savvy business owners with the opportunity to place their message front and center, without as much noise present from the competition. We're here when you make that call...

I've been doing a lot more research into how to further reduce my footprint on this planet. As an "ethical" designer, it can be somewhat self defeating to produce large, unfocused print runs for clients. It's really nice to see the print industry working to step up it's game and offer a greater array of planet-friendly papers and inks, with seemingly more arriving daily. As designers, we bear most of the responsibility for mismanagement of print media, so I think it's our place to educate the consumer as well as ourselves.

The weather has graced us with a early start to the winter season here in Collingwood. It's been fantastic to start snowboarding well in advance of Christmas. While it's not really a mountain, per se, living minutes away from Blue definitely makes the snowy days brighter. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:37 -0800</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/sentient_creative/posts/text/975405</guid>
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